The Synagogue of Enschede (designed by Karel de Bazel) is praised as one of the most beautiful synagogues in Western-Europe for its contemporary visual style.

One of the oldest buildings in Enschede is ‘het Elderinkshuis’. Built in 1783, it served as an inn for those who arrived at the city gate ‘de Espoort’ after it was closed at night. It was one of the few buildings that survived the great fire of 1862.

Business and Innovation

Every year, 50-60 new start-ups add to the ranks of the 700+ tech spin-offs from the University of Twente.

Innovation Campus Twente, part of Novel-T, is home to 380 companies with 6,300 commercial jobs.

The Military Boekelo-Enschede Equestrian Competition is not just one of the biggest equestrian events (in the Netherlands), it has also grown into the biggest outdoor business to business and business-relation event. Sponsors receive over 20,000 relations during the cross-country event on Saturday.

One of the oldest breweries in the Netherlands, the Grolsch brewery, is located between Enschede and Boekelo. It was founded in 1615 and opened its first brewery in Enschede in 1922. Grolsch beer is sold in over 70 countries and is considered a delicacy beer in many of them, especially when served in the distinctive swing-top bottle.

The only bakery in the Netherlands that produces matzos, Hollandia Matzes, is located in Enschede, only 500 meters away from the Synagogue of Enschede, and was founded in 1933.

The international company ‘Takeaway.com BV’, specialised in online food ordering and home delivery, was founded by a student from the University of Twente. Originally aimed at the Dutch market with the company ‘Thuisbezorgd.nl’, they now operate in several countries including Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The company headquarters are located in Enschede.

Sports

Enschede is well known for its local football club, FC Twente. FC Twente was the 2010 Eredivisie champion.

The city was awarded the title Sports City of the Year twice (in 2007 and 2008) and is nominated for Sports City of the Year 2013.

A young prince Charles once competed in the Military Boekelo-Enschede Equestrian Competition; one of the biggest equestrian events in the Netherlands, welcoming over 60,000 visitors each year. It was awarded Worlds Best Military 5 times in the past decade by the riders and welcomes an average of 30 Olympic Champions at the start each year. The event is a qualifying round for the Olympics.

The oldest marathon in the Netherlands, and the second oldest of Europe, is the Enschede Marathon. The first edition took place in 1947.

Final stage of the Batavierenrace, a footrace relay beginning in Nijmegen, claimed to be the largest relay race in the world, with 8,000 participants. Afterwards, the biggest student party in the Netherlands takes place, with over 12,000 visitors!

Enschede is home to the oldest student ice hockey team in the Netherlands: The Slapping Studs.

Home to baseball and softball club the Textown Tigers. The softball team won the European Woman’s Cup twice.